There are report cards for students, and now, at three Lompoc schools, there is a report card for support staff.

Vandenberg Middle, Lompoc Valley Middle and Cabrillo High schools have created a self-evaluation report to determine how each school's support personnel are working to help students feel connected and supported at school and to help find places where improvements can be made.

Following a model called SPARC (Support Personnel Accountability Report Card), the schools' counseling staff created a report that not only shows how well the school's support staff are doing, but also highlights just how important the support staff are to the students.

“It shows that the custodians, office staff, community liaisons, administrators, nurses and counselors make a contribution in ensuring student success,” said LVMS counselor Carmela Kessler. “All the parts make up a whole.”

“School sites use this document to evaluate, with data, student results, student measurements and school climate,” said Peggy Faulk, VMS counseling department chair. “Then what we'll do is build different strategies if we see an area we need to improve.”

Through SPARC, VMS assessed its BEST program, which promotes a positive school culture through anti-bullying assemblies, incentive programs, Lunch of Champions and Adopt a Student. A graph was created that revealed the number of discipline referrals under BEST dropped from over 1,000 in 2004-05 to fewer than 950 in 2006-07.

Also, VMS was able to identify three areas where they would like to improve by using survey results from students, parents, staff and the community. These areas are a better parent e-mail communication system, an expanded support program for students with college potential, and more participation in the school's advisory periods.

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The SPARC is also a good communication tool, according to Kessler. “We all have different jobs and are not always aware of what others are doing, so SPARC helps us to know.”

Faulk also said that the SPARC can be an advocacy tool for the community by letting the pubic know how well a school is doing and in what areas they are doing well or need improvement. Copies of a school's SPARC can be placed at the city offices, the chamber of commerce, real estate offices and at the military housing office.

Each SPARC looks at school climate and safety, which measures the attitudes and behavior of staff, students an parents; student results, particularly areas outside the classroom; major achievements; measurements, including academic, career and personal or social assessments; community partnerships; volunteer involvement; focus on improvement, where each school lists three areas where progress can be made, and keeping you informed, which lists ways the school communicates with the community, faculty, administration and families.

The California Department of Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, who developed SPARC, honor school counseling and student support programs throughout the state. This year they awarded VMS an Academy Award and LVMS and CHS Certificates of Commendation.

“To have won the award, you do feel proud and you feel that we do have a significant impact on the quality of education,” said Faulk, who first heard about SPARC at a California League of Middle Schools conference. “It does give you momentum and motivation to keep it up.”

Faulk said that all three schools plan to continue doing the SPARCs.

“It's a lot of work,” Kessler said. “But it was worthwhile - very worthwhile.”

Amanda Brooks can be reached at 737-1057 or abrooks@lompoc

record.com.

June 2, 2008